II Samuel 23:24-35 · Bible study
2 Samuel 23:24-35 Commentary: Asahel Among David's Thirty Heroes
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the deceased Asahel appear in David's elite list?
Research Summary
- Meaning: The names of David's elite warriors, including the deceased Asahel, recorded as an honor roll.
- Key words: “thirty” (shaloshim), Asahel, “mighty men” (Gibborim).
- Main debate: Why Asahel appears despite his early death, and how to account for textual variations with 1 Chronicles 11.
- Theological theme: God's faithful servants are remembered and honored beyond their lifetime.
- Best use: Study for heritage, honoring faithful service, and trusting God's memory of our deeds.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
24Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites,
30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash,
31Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen,
33Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
WEB World English Bible 2000
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty: Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
KJV King James Version 1769
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth–lehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31Abi–albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
ASV American Standard Version 1901
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
31Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
24Asahel brother of Joab is of the thirty; Elhanan son of Dodo of Beth-Lehem.
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Annethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin,
30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, son of the Maachathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb the son of Baanah, the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Ararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
24Asael the brother of Joab was one of the thirty, Elehanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem.
25Semma of Harodi, Elica of Harodi,
26Heles of Phalti, Hira the son of Acces of Thecua,
27Abiezer of Anathoth, Mobonnai of Husati,
28Selmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heled the son of Baana, also a Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gabaath of the children of Benjamin,
30Banaia the Pharathonite, Heddai of the torrent Gaas,
31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Beromi,
32Eliaba of Salaboni. The sons of Jassen, Jonathan,
33Semma of Orori, Aliam the son of Sarar the Arorite,
34Eliphelet the son of Aasbai the son of Machati, Eliam the son of Achitophel the Gelonite,
35Hesrai of Carmel, Pharai of Arbi,
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Samuel 23:24
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that this list preserves the names of David's elite military corps, the "thirty" (shalishim), though the roster itself numbers more than thirty names when counted with the opening of verse 24. The early death of Asahel, brother of Joab, killed by Abner (2 Samuel 2:23), raises the question of why he appears here. Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry treat Asahel as one of the original thirty, his place likely filled after his death. Gill, citing the Arabic version, suggests Asahel was prince over the thirty rather than simply one among them. Barnes notes his early death would make a replacement necessary, accounting for the total of thirty-seven names in verse 39. The Cambridge Bible points to considerable textual variation between this list and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 11, attributing many of the differences to copyists' errors. Despite these variations, the inclusion of Asahel signals that the "thirty" functioned as a title of honor, not necessarily a precise live body count.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Posthumous honorary listing: Asahel appears among the thirty despite his early death (2 Samuel 2:23); Barnes and Gill suggest his place was filled but his name remained as an honor.
- Textual corruption or scribal error: Cambridge Bible notes that both lists have suffered textual corruption; some think Asahel's name may have been added or confused in transmission.
- The “thirty” as a conventional title: The final count in verse 39 is thirty-seven, supporting the idea that “the thirty” was not a precise live number but a fixed honorific, allowing deceased members to be included.
What is clear: Asahel, brother of Joab, is named among David's mighty men, showing that he served in that elite corps before his death and that the biblical writer valued preserving his memory.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusion of Asahel among the thirty | Asahel was a real warrior who died young in battle with Abner. | Some see this as posthumous honor (his name retained after his place was filled). Others think the “thirty” was a title, allowing a deceased member to be listed. A few suggest textual corruption may explain it. |
| Textual variations between 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 | Both lists describe the same group of David's mighty men but have significant differences in names and spellings. | Cambridge Bible attributes the differences to copyist errors. Others propose that the lists may reflect different time periods or sources with intentional updating. |
| The number “thirty” as an exact count or a title | The corps was called “the thirty” in both Samuel and Chronicles. | Since verse 39 lists 37 names, some argue thirty was a conventional honorific rather than an exact count. Others suggest the original thirty names became a larger group over time while the title remained. |
| Order and arrangement of the names | The names are listed in a purposeful sequence, likely reflecting some organizational principle. | Some see a geographical grouping (by hometown). Others connect the order to the monthly divisions in 1 Chronicles 27, where some of these men served as captains over courses. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The "mighty men" (Gibborim) of David formed a standing corps of the king's personal warriors, originating from the time when David was a fugitive in the wilderness (1 Samuel 22:2; 23:13). Within this larger body of roughly six hundred, an inner group known as "the thirty" (ha·shalishim) served as the elite. The number thirty may have been a conventional title, since the actual count at the end of chapter 23 is thirty-seven (v.39), including Uriah the Hittite. Asahel, listed first in this section, is the most notable member. He was the swift-footed brother of Joab, struck down by Abner in a battle of rival kings (2 Samuel 2:18-23). His inclusion here, with the phrase "was one of the thirty" (WEB), is likely a posthumous honor, acknowledging his service before his untimely death.
The geographical references in the list reveal much about David's support base. Men came from Bethlehem (Elhanan, son of Dodo), Tekoa (Ira, son of Ikkesh, a town later known as the home of the wise woman who intervened for Absalom, 2 Samuel 14:2), and towns in Benjamin such as Gibeah and Anathoth (Jeremiah's birthplace). The spring of Harod (Judges 7:1) likely gives the name "Harodite" to Shammah and Elika, connecting these warriors to the site of Gideon's victory. Other places like Pirathon (in Ephraim, Judges 12:15) and Carmel (in Judah) show the corps drew from across the tribal territories. The list in 1 Chronicles 11:26-41 parallels this one but contains many variations in names and spellings. Cambridge Bible suggests both have suffered from textual corruption, making identification of some individuals uncertain. Nevertheless, the list itself stands as a deliberate monument: it names the men who stood with David through his rise, preserving their memory for generations.
Textual Notes
The Cambridge Bible notes that the names in this list vary considerably from the parallel list in 1 Chronicles 11:26-41, and both have “suffered considerably from textual corruption.” Examples include Shammah the Harodite (v.25) called Shammoth the Harorite in 1 Chronicles 11:27, and Mebunnai the Hushathite (v.27) who appears as Sibbecai in 1 Chronicles 11:29 and 2 Samuel 21:18. The total of thirty-seven names in verse 39 while the corps is called “the thirty” also suggests a complex textual history. The consulted sources offer no variants beyond these parallel discrepancies.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this list has been read as an honor roll of faithful servants, often used to illustrate that God remembers the obscure and the fallen. In sermons, Asahel's inclusion is frequently highlighted as a comfort, death does not erase a person from God's book. The list has also been studied alongside the genealogies of Chronicles to trace the tribes of Israel and the geography of David's kingdom. In liturgical settings, the passage is rarely read aloud, but it serves as a quiet reminder that every name written in Scripture carries weight. The variations between Samuel and Chronicles have prompted both textual criticism and reflections on the nature of biblical transmission, with many traditions holding that the Holy Spirit preserved the essence of the record through human copyists.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Honored in death. Asahel appears among the thirty even though he died early. His inclusion shows that death cannot erase a person's place in God's story.
- Ordinary origins, extraordinary faithfulness. Many came from small towns like Netophah and Pirathon. God uses people from obscure places to accomplish great things.
- Every name matters. The list preserves details of individuals who might otherwise be forgotten. God values each person who serves Him, not just the famous.
Five-point outline
- God keeps a written record of His faithful servants.
- Death does not remove a person from God's people or from the honor they earned.
- Diverse backgrounds unite in a single calling before God.
- Faithfulness is measured by devotion, not by fame or recognition.
- Our service contributes to a legacy that God remembers beyond our lifetime.
Illustration hooks
- A memorial bench in a churchyard engraved with the names of long-serving members who have died.
- A sports team with a retired jersey number, a player no longer on the roster but forever part of the team.
- A family photo album with names written on the back, preserving memory for the next generation.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does my service matter if nobody famous knows my name?
- What happens to the work I do for God after I die?
- Does God really keep a record of each one of us?
Leading a Discussion
This passage may feel like a simple list, but it reveals something profound: God cares about individuals and their contributions, even when human memory fades. Asahel died young, yet his name is preserved. The variations between this list and 1 Chronicles 11 remind us that the Bible gives us history as it has been transmitted, with all its textual complexity, while still conveying truth.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you most in this list of names?
- Why do you think Asahel, who died early in David's reign, is included as one of the thirty?
- How do you explain the many differences between this list and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 11:26-41?
- What does the inclusion of obscure names from small towns tell you about God's view of ordinary people?
- How might this list encourage someone who feels overlooked or forgotten in their service to God?
- In what ways can we “name” and honor faithful servants in our own church community today?
- How does knowing that God keeps a record of His people affect your daily walk with Him?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Samuel 2:18 | The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. |
| I Chronicles 11:26 | The mighty men of the armies also include Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, |
| I Chronicles 27:7 | The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand. |
| Judges 7:1 | Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose up early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. Midian’s camp was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. |
| I Chronicles 11:27 | Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, |
| I Chronicles 11:28 | Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, |
| II Samuel 14:2 | Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead. |
| I Chronicles 27:9 | The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the names of David's thirty warriors (the shalishim) vary between the lists in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. He specifically identifies Asahel as Joab's brother, the same man killed by Abner, pointing out that copyists introduced discrepancies in several other names.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that Asahel's early death likely explains the odd count of thirty-one names in David's list of mighty men. His place among the thirty would have been filled after he died, which accounts for the extra name appearing in the final tally.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the list of David's mighty men in 2 Samuel and the parallel list in 1 Chronicles differ considerably. These variations likely stem from scribal errors over time, making the original form of the list uncertain, and it may even have been revised later in David's reign.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes treat this passage as a straightforward historical list, recording each of David's mighty men by name and hometown without any allegorical or doctrinal explanation. The annotation
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill works systematically through each warrior's name, tracing variant spellings in the parallel list from 1 Chronicles. He explains differences as simple letter changes or
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange views David's heroes as the military counterpart to the prophetic school, divinely appointed to protect God's kingdom. Their battles are not human feats but the Lord's victories. David's refusal of the water, poured out as a drink-offering, shows he saw it as the lifeblood of his men.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that David treated the water not as a common drink but as a sacred offering, poured out to the Lord because his men had risked their lives for it. David’s refusal to drink shows a princely reverence for the price paid to obtain it.